Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has played alongside some of the most talented players in the world, but who are the 11 individuals he ranks as the very best?

The England international demonstrated his class with a composed performance at the heart of the Manchester United defence last week, as the Red Devils secured a 1-1 draw from their Champions League last-16 first-leg against Real Madrid.

The fixture showcased some of the current best players in the world, including Robin Van Persie, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, but who did Ferdinand pick when asked to select his ultimate all-time fantasy football team from the players he's played with?

Speaking to Sky Sports on The Fantasy Football Club, he selected the best players he's ever played with, position by position.

And, according to the United star: "I don't care who you bring - you are not beating this team."

In goal, Ferdinand went with Edwin van der Sar - the legendary Dutchman who held the Manchester United number one jersey from 2005 to 2011.

And Ferdinand was quoted in the Daily Mail as saying: "I've played with a good few keepers over the years. David Seaman was a fantastic keeper, Nigel Martyn was a really good keeper, but the standout for me would have to be Edwin van der Sar.

"He's just cool under pressure - he never panicked."

At centre-back, the United star partnered Sol Campbell, his former-England colleague, with current Old Trafford defender Nemanja Vidic.

And when talking about his understanding with Vidic, Ferdinand said: "He's probably the best partner I've played with as we just seem to know where each other is going to be."

His selection at right midfield wasn't easy either - coming down to a toss-up between David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Explaining his decision, Ferdinand said: "It has to be Ronaldo. People talk about great players but he made himself a great player. He was obviously born with a lot of talent but he's one of the best professionals I've been around.

"He trained hard, he was always one of the first in and last out, honing his skills, working on his step-overs, working on his shooting with both feet."

But if that decision proved tough for the Manchester United man, he had to think long and hard over his central midfield selection.

In the end he went for two Old Trafford legends.

Ferdinand said: "This is possibly the hardest place to select. I'm leaving Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard out of my all-time team. But Paul Scholes is my favourite footballer I've ever played with. Watching him turn, open up and then just smash one over to the winger is just beautiful!"

And alongside Scholes? That would have to be Roy Keane.

"I can't leave him out," said Ferdinand. "I remember my first training session: I got the ball from the keeper, I passed it to Gary Neville at right-back and Keane just exploded, saying: 'You passed it sideways, that's the easy pass! You're not at Leeds or West Ham now!'"

So, here it is, Rio Ferdinand's ultimate 'dream team'.

Goalkeeper | Edwin van der Sar

Right-back | Gary Neville

Left-back | Ashley Cole

Centre-back | Sol Campbell

Centre-back | Nemanja Vidic

Right-midfield | Cristiano Ronaldo

Left-midfield | Ryan Giggs

Centre-midfield | Paul Scholes

Centre-midfield | Roy Keane

Striker | Wayne Rooney

Striker | Ruud van Nistelrooy

What do you think? Obviously, this 'dream team' is from the players that Ferdinand has played with, but what would your ultimate Premier League 'dream team' be?

Have your say by joining the debate below...

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